2013 Pebble Beach Concours d'Elegance

The Oscar's for automotive enthusiasts

Strolling, or stumbling depending on if you are still recovering from the last few parties the night before, onto the 18th green at Pebble Beach the brisk air and echo of vintage Alfa Romeos waft in the air, show time has finally arrived.

Sunday on the green is packed full of spectators, owners and the who's who of the automotive industry. Turn to your left and you'll see a pristinely resurrected 1914 6-42 American Underslung Roadster; turn right and Jay Leno will be bumping shoulders with owners. This is of course assuming you have the time to actually look up. You are, after all, at one of the most magnificent automotive gatherings in the world.

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| Alfa Romeo 8Cs line up for their parade lap across the stage.

Manufacturers fly in the best and most exclusive cars they have to offer for a chance to earn new customers and to expose their brands to new ones. Lamborghini wasn't bashful in flying, yes flying, their Veneno Concept car to the delight of many fans. The car was proudly displayed on the Concept Lawn in front of the famed Pebble Beach Lodge Resort.

In its company, the new Mercedes-Benz GLA Concept, Bentley's Le Mans Edition Mulsanne, fresh from the Goodwood Festival of Speed Jaguar's Project 7 Concept and even Spyker took the opportunity to unveil its latest concept car the B6 Venator Spyder. Porsche also took the opportunity to showcase their "nearly production" ready 918 Spyder hypercar.

Roaming the show field we stumbled up rare automobiles and racecars most onlookers never knew existed. This years selected marques featured along the coast of the green were BMWs famed 507, the Porsche 911 and even French Motorcycles; just to name a few.

Also on hand were over 20 examples of Alfa Romeo's 8C during the marques glory days. From the early 1900s right up until WW2, the 8C was Italy's true supercar of the pre-war era, not to mention its astounding pedigree as a racecar winning everything from the Mille Miglia to Le Mans.

To say IndyCar had a major impact in the world of motorsports is an understatement. Lets not forget, before Formula1 there was Indy. So it may come as no surprise that you would be able to find some of the most painstakingly restored examples of various Indy cars make their way onto the show field.
Sure the Best in Class winning chassis went to Bill Aikins, and by all definitions of the world a ture hot rodder. He's quoted as saying "I'm not from that [Pebble Beach, suit and hat wearing] world, but its nice to visit once in a while". Bill restored his Mid-Continent Securities Special car built by Quin Epperly from 1962 in his very own garage. Who say's you need to pay millions to win a globaly prestigious award?

For the first time in nearly five years an American car took home Best in Show. A 1934 Packard 1108 Twelve Dietrich Convertible Victoria owned by Joseph and Margie Cassini III of West Orange, NJ. This Packard is considered the finest automobile ever produced by the, sadly non-existent, automaker.

The car was purchased by the Cassinis three years ago and was in shambles. Today its taken home the most prestigious award any classic car can receive around the world. Less we forget that this is the second time the Cassinis have taken home a Best in Show trophy, they previously took home the honor in 2004 with their 1938 Horch 853A Erdmann & Rossi Sport Cabriolet - which was sold at the RM Auction last year for $5.17 million.